Gordon Lightfoot Minstrel of the Dawn HQ with Lyrics in Description

Описание: Track 1 from his fifth album "Sit Down Young Stranger" released in 1970 copyright Reprise Records. It was his first release for Reprise and was recorded at SunWest Studios in Hollywood. It was originally released without a title but it was added shortly after the first run of vinyl copies was released. This was his breakthrough album on the strength of the single "If You Could Read My Mind" and once it exploded on the charts, the album's title was changed again to match the name of the song. It featured more orchestral arrangements as accompaniment than his previous works and Randy Newman arranged the strings for two songs. He was the second artist to record a cover version of Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee" before Janis Joplin had a hit with it. It's rumoured that Kris sat in on background vocals and it was released as the first single. It was one of his most successful albums, reaching No. 12 on Billboard and No. 8 in Canada. The highlight, of course, is "If You Could Read My Mind" which has to be considered one of the best songs ever written. It is perfect in so many ways, written straight from the heart about his impending divorce from his first wife and the mother of his two children. The vocal melody is outstanding and his inflection is sad and hopeless, which suits the lyrics perfectly and makes them come alive. The production is flawless as well. The song reached No. 5 on Billboard and No. 1 in Canada. The album received excellent reviews and was certified Gold in Australia, the U.S. & Canada. Written by Gordon Lightfoot and produced by Lenny Waronker & Joseph Wissert. RIP Red Shea & Gordon Lightfoot. Featuring:

Gordon Lightfoot - Lead vocals, six & twelve-string acoustic guitars & piano
Special Guests:
Red Shea - Lead acoustic guitars
Rick Haynes - Bass
Ry Cooder - Slide guitar on "Me and Bobby McGee" & mandolin on "Cobwebs & Dust"
John Sebastian - Rhythm guitar on "Baby It's Alright" & autoharp on "Saturday's Clothes"
Van Dyke Parks - Harmonium on "Cobwebs & Dust"
Nick DeCaro - String arrangements on "Poor Little Allison," "If You Could Read My Mind" & "Your Love's Return (Song for Stephen Foster)"
Randy Newman - String arrangements on "Minstrel of the Dawn" & "Approaching Lavender"
Kris Kristofferson - Background vocal on "Me and Bobby McGee"

The minstrel of the dawn is here to make you laugh and bend your ear
Up the steps you'll hear him climb, all full of thoughts, all full of rhymes
Listen to the pictures flow across the room into your mind they go
Listen to the strings, they jangle and dangle while the old guitar rings

The minstrel of the dawn is he, not too wise but, oh, so free
He'll talk of life out on the street, he'll play it sad and say it sweet
Look into his shining face, of loneliness you'll always find a trace
Just like me and you he's tryin' to get into things more happy than blue

A minstrel of the changing tide, he'll ask for nothing but his pride
Just sit him down upon that chair, go fetch some wine and set it there
Listen to the pictures flow and follow the fingers where they go
Listen to the strings, they jangle and dangle while the old guitar rings

A minstrel of the dawn is near, just like a step 'n fetch it here
He's like an old-time troubadour just wanting life and nothing more
Look into his shining eyes and if you see a ghost don't be surprised
Like me and you he's tryin' to get into things more happy than blue

The minstrel boy will understand, he holds your promise in his hand
He talks of better days ahead and by his words your fortune's read
Listen to the pictures flow across the room into your mind they go
Listen to the strings, they jangle and dangle while the old guitar rings

The minstrel of the dawn is gone, I hope he'll call before too long
And if you meet him you must be the victim of his minstrelsy
He'll sing for you a song, the minstrel of the dawn